Sabre launches new tool to simplify bookings for travel consultants

Sabre Red Launchpad is now being rolled out after success pilot phase

GDS and travel technology provider Sabre has announced it is launching Sabre Red Launchpad to simplify booking travel.

Building on “promising” results from its pilot phase, the professional grade, user-friendly interface provides agents with easy access to AI-powered capabilities and multi-source content, without the need for deep GDS experience.

Sabre Red Launchpad supports air (traditional, NDC, and low-cost carrier), hotel and car content.

Designed as an extension of Sabre’s flagship interface Sabre Red 360, Sabre Red Launchpad is said to eliminate the “complexity” of creating and managing travel reservations while introducing new shopping experiences.

By minimising training time, Sabre Red Launchpad empowers travel consultants to begin earning commissions faster by unlocking multi-source content available in Sabre’s marketplace.

Launch partner Internova Travel Group released Internova SNAP, a custom version of Sabre Red Launchpad, to thousands of US-based advisors earlier this year.

As of October, over 300 agencies and 13,000 advisors are now using SNAP, driving an increase in overall sales volume.

SNAP also provides access to hotel and car content from Internova Travel Group company Travel Leaders Network (TLN), providing additional options for agents and its travellers.

Peter Vlitas, executive vice president, partner relations of Internova Travel Group, said: “We needed a solution for advisors who were not using a GDS but wanted to enhance client service and unlock new revenue opportunities.

“By collaborating closely with our extensive distribution team, Sabre developed this intuitive booking tool, empowering our agents to not only thrive in modern airline retailing but also make more money.”

Kathy Morgan, senior vice president of product management, distribution experience of Sabre Travel Solutions, said: “By listening closely to our customers and analyzing changes in the travel landscape, we realized there were unmet needs in the market.

“Sabre Red Launchpad addresses those needs, making it easier to tap into Sabre’s extensive and multi-source travel content and generate revenue from day one. We’re thrilled to now offer Sabre Red Launchpad™ globally to support travel agency customers of all sizes.”

Chinmai Sharma, global head – lodging, ground & sea of Sabre Travel Solutions, said: “For lodging, Sabre Red Launchpad™ utilizes machine learning to analyze property attributes, trip segmentation, and preferences to present the most relevant lodging options, boosting hotel attachment rates and offering personalised choices.”

Meanwhile, early adopter 1000Mile Travel Group (1000MTG), worked closely with Sabre to create 1000Access with Sabre Red Launchpad technology.

1000Access enables the group’s independent travel advisors to search, shop and book, air, hotel, and car content all in one place complete with automated fulfillment.

Ben Ross, co-founder and CEO 1000MTG, said: “Within six months of soft launch, 40 percent of North American advisors were onboarded to 1000Access, collectively earning over $120,000USD in airline commissions-- and this is only the beginning. #

“Our goal is to save our travel advisor's time whilst providing an avenue to make more money and not leave anything on the table.

“Because we found a solution for our network, 1000MTG has had vast interest from peers in the industry who face the same problem and want the same solution and have been awarded air fulfilment partner status with Global Luxury Network Virtuoso.”

Morgan added: “Sabre Red Launchpad is another proof point of Sabre's commitment to product innovation and customer collaboration that delivers value to suppliers and buyers of travel.

“We are demonstrating Sabre’s innovation in action. In three months, we went from concept to working code. Collaboration is part of our DNA. Our innovation accelerates your progress.”